How Is Wearable Technology Changing The Healthcare Industry?
The future of the healthcare industry is being transformed by today’s wearable technology. Effective, reliable, resilient, and smart healthcare ecosystems are being enabled by these high tech wearables – namely, wearable health devices.
Providing physical function tracking and biofeedback, the scanning and sensory features of today’s sophisticated wearable technology is quite an achievement. You don’t even see this kind of behavior in laptops and mobile phones! In 2016, the wearable technology market sold 101.9 million units – a growth of 29%. By next year, it is predicted that in excess of 213 billion units will reach numerous individuals.
But how are these wearable devices changing the industry of healthcare?
Wearable Health Devices and The Aging Population
Healthcare services are now in higher demand than ever, partially due to the rapid growth of a population that is aging. Compared to other groups, more health problems are likely to be found in elderly persons. There will be approximately 74 million more seniors by the year 2030 than there are today. Difficulty with self-care, cognition, communication, mobility, hearing, or vision is experienced in approximately 22% of these individuals.
Helping with elderly care are today’s smart wearables. To help with failing eyesight, one such device is known as Smart Glasses. But eyesight is only the beginning when it comes to how wearable devices can assist the elderly.
Another good example of a wearable device worn by those requiring personal care is the Health Assist Watch powered by Samsung. It can monitor heart rate, stress rate, activity rate, and much more.
Prevention of Chronic Diseases
The care of chronic diseases accounts for approximately 85% of healthcare dollars being spent today. Included in the list of these diseases are chronic pain, heart disease, asthma, and diabetes. Wearable devices can help with behavioral changes, compliance, and monitoring. As an example, an automated device for asthma monitoring and management (A.D.A.M. M.) is a flexible, soft, waterproof wearable system that intelligently monitors asthma.
Wearables for Fitness
Whether exercising for competitiveness or simply striving for personal satisfaction, numerous individuals are using wearable devices to assist with their fitness programs. The tracking and monitoring of fitness related metrics like quantity of sleep, heartbeat, calorie consumption, distance run or walked, etc. can be achieved through fitness trackers. This information can be wirelessly synced to a smart phone or computer. Among these applications and devices are Smart Bands and Smart Watches.
Helping to Monitor Health
The scope of remote health monitoring has been remarkably enhanced thanks to the rapid growth in technology where a vital role is played by real-time health monitoring systems. They are developed with data security, accuracy, ease of application, and cost in mind. With these systems, two-way communication between the patient and the doctor is facilitated. Providing the most up-to-date healthcare information is the sole purpose of health monitoring systems such as these. Two interfaces – one for the doctor and one for the patient – is the feature characteristic of these systems.
Wearable technology and the purchase of wearable health devices can help keep track of heart rate, stress levels, activity rate, and so much more. In an emergency, many can summon assistance. If you are considering purchasing and wearing one of these devices, click here.
